COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland has drawn NIT-finalist Alabama for its first-round matchup on Thursday, Nov. 17 in the 2011 Puerto Rico Tip-Off, it was announced Wednesday by ESPN Regional Television.

The Terrapins, who face the Crimson Tide on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. ET, are in a half of the draw that includes three semifinalists from last year’s postseason NIT. Champion Wichita State will face Colorado in the other first-round matchup in the Terps’ half of the bracket in Puerto Rico.

In its only other trip to a tournament in Puerto Rico, Maryland won the Puerto Rico Shootout in 1998. The Terrapins beat AU-Puerto Rico, UCLA and Pittsburgh en route to the championship of the event, played in Bayamon, P.R.

Temple will open play in the 2011 event against Western Michigan, with Purdue meeting Iona in the other afternoon-session game.

Each team will play three games in the tournament, playing on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 17, 18 and 20 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. Minnesota beat West Virginia for the tournament championship a year ago.